- Construction of the pilot documentation center for the NSU complex progresses.
The hub for pilot documentation regarding the NSU compound in Chemnitz is set to materialize in the upcoming months. The preliminary arrangements, such as financing and lease agreements, have been put in place, enabling the commencement of the execution phase, as reported by the initiators. The grand opening is scheduled for May 2025, with Chemnitz also slated to become the European Capital of Culture the following year.
In the interim, a series of events are planned for the new center. The initial objective is to boost the recognition of the NSU complex documentation center within the city and encourage dialogue with the local populace, according to the statement. The pilot project is backed by both federal and state governments with a combined 4 million euros in funding.
"It's fantastic that this pioneering project is now progressing into the implementation phase," expressed Federal Culture Minister Claudia Roth (Alliance 90/The Greens). "The Chemnitz pilot documentation center is a significant milestone in addressing the NSU complex and bolstering our culture of remembrance." It will serve as a platform for education, research, and contemplation. Furthermore, it will aid in the broadcasting of the narratives of the victims and those impacted by the right-wing extremist NSU murder and terror spree.
The center is being constructed in a previously vacant retail outlet situated on Johannisplatz in the city center. The initiators are optimistic that this location will offer more exposure than the initially proposed site, which was to be an energy supplier's building. A multimedia exhibition titled "Open Process" has been planned therein. Additionally, a communal gathering area featuring a café is to be established.
Chemnitz and Zwickau once served as havens for the infamous National Socialist Underground (NSU). The core trio resided undisturbed for many years, boasting numerous supporters and orchestrating a murder series involving at least ten individuals - eight of Turkish descent, one of Greek descent, and a police officer. The trio is also responsible for numerous armed robberies and multiple bomb attacks.
The Chemnitz pilot project aims to spark momentum for the proposed central documentation center for the NSU complex in Germany.
The construction of the NSU documentation center in the heart of Chemnitz, at Johannisplatz, will likely attract more attention due to its location in the city center. After the grand opening in May 2025, Chemnitz, as the European Capital of Culture the following year, will provide an ideal platform for the center to reach a broader audience.
